Magnetic resonance imaging cancer probe and methods of use

Abstract

A magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging device and method of use for accurately delineating the lateral extent and depth of a skin tumor. The device includes a radiofrequency tuned circuit with an antenna in the shape of an acupuncture needle that is positionally-controlled using a mechanical actuator to provide high-contrast spatial images of skin tumors with sub-millimeter lateral and depth resolution. The device is used by dermatologists to provide accurate spatial demarcations of skin tumors, which facilitate the complete excision of a tumor in the first pass of the Mohs micrographic surgical procedure. Different sizes and shapes of the needle antenna provide advantages for sensitivity, image resolution, and capabilities to impact treatments. A hollow needle antenna provides for a capability of the inventive device to affect treatment of a skin tumor by injecting a chemical agent while monitoring chemical and spatial aspects of the tumor, and by aspirating cancer tissue to remove the tumor and related chemical treatment agents.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An MRI detector comprising:
 an Acupuncture-MRI Probe comprising a conductive material and one or more non-magnetic capacitance elements, the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna comprising a first portion having a thickness of from about 5 μm to about 1000 μm, wherein the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna exhibits an inductance of about 10 −6  to about 10 −12  henry (H), wherein the Acupuncture-MRI Probe is configured to resonate when exposed to radiofrequency pulses from an MRI or NMR device thereby generating one or more localized radiofrequency magnetic fields with gradient distribution surrounding at least a portion of the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna.   
     
     
         2 . The MRI detector according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more non-magnetic capacitance elements are physically coupled to the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna. 
     
     
         3 . The MRI detector according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more non-magnetic capacitance elements form a second portion of the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna and are integral with the conductive material. 
     
     
         4 . The MRI detector according to  claim 3 , wherein the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna is a flexible electrically non-conducting material that is coated with a conductive material. 
     
     
         5 . The MRI detector according to  claim 4 , wherein the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna is coated with a 1-50 μm-thick layer of gold. 
     
     
         6 . The MRI detector according to  claim 1 , wherein the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna is a hollow electrically-conductive tube with open top and bottom ends. 
     
     
         7 . The MRI detector according to  claim 6 , wherein the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna is fabricated from one or more of the following materials: phosphor bronze, gold, platinum, non-magnetic stainless steel, copper, aluminum, silver. 
     
     
         8 . The MRI detector according to  claim 1 , wherein the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna is a hollow electrically-conductive tube with perforated walls. 
     
     
         9 . The MRI detector according to  claim 8 , wherein the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna is fabricated from one or more of the following materials: phosphor bronze, gold, platinum, non-magnetic stainless steel, copper, aluminum, silver. 
     
     
         10 . A method for detecting cancer cells comprising:
 contacting a subject with an Acupuncture-MRI Probe, the Acupuncture-MRI Probe comprising a conductive material and one or more non-magnetic capacitance elements, wherein the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna exhibits an inductance of about 10 −6  to about 10 −12  henry (H); exposing the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna to one or more radiofrequency pulses so that the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna can generate one or more localized radiofrequency magnetic fields with gradient distribution surrounding at least a portion of the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna; detecting at least a portion of the localized radiofrequency magnetic fields along a radial coordinate; and determining one or more chemical shifts and associated quantities based on the portion of the localized radiofrequency magnetic fields.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the contacting comprising inserting at least a portion of the Acupuncture-MRI Probe needle antenna into the subject's skin. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the one or more radiofrequency pulses have a duration of from about 0.1 microseconds (μs) to about 1500 milliseconds (ms). 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the procedure for obtaining images also incorporates pulsed magnetic field gradients generated by an MRI scanner that modify the static magnetic field to encode nuclear spins with spatial information. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the procedure for obtaining images incorporates advanced RFI methods. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the procedure for obtaining images incorporates advanced RFI methods and pulsed magnetic field gradients generated by an MRI scanner that modify the static magnetic field to encode nuclear spins with spatial information. 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating cancer cells comprising:
 contacting a subject with an Acupuncture-MRI Probe, the Acupuncture-MRI Probe comprising a hollow conductive material and one or more non-magnetic capacitance elements, wherein the Acupuncture-MRI Probe hollow needle antenna exhibits an inductance of about 10 −6  to about 10 −12  henry (H); exposing the Acupuncture-MRI Probe hollow needle antenna to one or more radiofrequency pulses so that the Acupuncture-MRI Probe hollow needle antenna can generate one or more localized radiofrequency magnetic and electric fields with gradient distribution surrounding at least a portion of the Acupuncture-MRI Probe hollow needle antenna; detecting at least a portion of the localized radiofrequency magnetic fields along a radial coordinate; determining one or more chemical shifts and associated quantities based on the portion of the localized radiofrequency magnetic fields; applying radiofrequency pulses to the Acupuncture-MRI Probe hollow needle antenna to generate one or more localized radiofrequency electric fields to cause local heating and destruction of skin tumors; injecting imaging agents to enhance contrast of RFI and MRI images; injecting treatment agents and compounds into tumors to cause the destruction of tumors; and aspirating skin tumor tissue and associated materials to cause the removal of skin tumors.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the methods for RFI/MRI imaging and treatment/extraction of tumors occurs sequentially or simultaneously. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the methods for treatment/extraction of tumors includes the injection into tumors of cancer-destroying agents and compounds known in the art. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the cancer-destroying agents and compounds known in the art include: nanoparticles, porous wall hollow glass microspheres, radioactive materials, organometallic compounds, organic solvents, inorganic acids, inorganic bases, heat-generating compounds, salinomycin, cisplatin, nonplatinum-based halogenated molecules, reactive agents. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the porous wall hollow glass microspheres contain one or more of the following cancer destroying agents: radioactive elements, cancer drugs, salinomycin, organic solvents, inorganic acids, inorganic bases, heat-generating compounds, cisplatin, nonplatinum-based halogenated molecules, reactive agents.